MLB Rumors

Nationals outfielder Roger Bernadina was scratched from Wednesday's game against the Phillies, due to an irritant in his eye, according to MLB.com. Stephen Lombardozzi replaced him in the lineup in left fied. This issue is not expected to be a serious one moving forward.  

Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez got off to a rocky start Wednesday against the Phillies, but he quickly settled down for one of his best starts of the season.

Gonzalez allowed a leadoff single and then a two-run home run to open the game, and then pitched seven shutout innings afterwards. In fact, that was essentially it for the Phillies' offense, as Gonzalez did not allow another hit in his seven innings of work, with just two walks.

Gonzalez struck out a season-high 11 batters in the game, while throwing 65 of 108 pitches for strikes. Gonzalez unfortunately took a no-decision in the game, as the Nationals' offense could not get going until the 11th inning, in a 6-2 win. He actually left the game in line to lose, before a ninth-inning rally.

Gonzalez is still just 3-3 on the season, without a decision in each of his last four starts. He actually has not won since May 5, despite posting a 1.84 ERA over his last eight starts.

He will try to get back on the winning side Tuesday against the Diamondbacks. 

Braves starting pitcher Kris Medlen pitched around his own fielding miscue to defeat the Mets Wednesday, 5-3.

Medlen allowed three runs in the start, two of which came around after he made a throwing error in the top of the fifth. All three runs allowed came across in that fifth, on two hits and one hit by pitch, along with the error.

Medlen allowed the one earned run on six hits and no walks in the outing, while striking out seven batters in seven innings of work. He threw 65 of 105 pitches for strikes in the game.

Medlen is now 4-7 on the season, but 3-1 over his last four starts. He has a 2.96 ERA in 15 starts, heading into his next scheduled start, Tuesday against the Royals. 

Mets starting pitcher Shaun Marcum dropped his ninth consecutive decision Wednesday, in a 5-3 loss to the Braves.

Marcum struggled yet again, allowing five runs in 4 2/3 innings, the second start in a row he has allowed more runs than innings pitched. He surrendered the five runs on six hits and four walks, the latter being a season-worst mark.

Marcum struck out six batters in the outing, while throwing 55 of 96 pitches for strikes. His ERA rose to 5.76, while his record fell to 0-9.

The Mets are expected to move to a five-man rotation soon, which might not leave room for Marcum, given his struggles.  He is not currently listed among their probable starting pitchers moving forward, and the team has not announced their plans for him moving forward. 

Braves reliever Alex Wood should be back in the bullpen by the start of a weekend series against the Brewers, after he was needed to throw 73 pitches in a start Tuesday. Manager Fredi Gonzalez told MLB.com Wood could be available to pitch in relief as early as the series opener.

"We're shooting for him to be available by Friday at the earliest," Gonzalez said. "He threw a lot of pitches in three innings."

Wood was bothered by a cuticle tear on his index finger in the outing, but that is not expected to bother him by he time he returns to the bullpen. 

Giants closer Sergio Romo saved his second game in as many days Wednesday, as he closed out a 4-2 win over the Padres.

Romo returns San Diego on just 12 pitches, striking out one batter in a perfect ninth. He is now 18 for 21 in save situations, with a 2.54 ERA on the season.

Padres first baseman Jesus Guzman homered for the second game in a row Wednesday, a solo shot in a 4-2 loss to the Giants.

Guzman finished the game 1 for 3 with a walk and a strikeout. He is batting .237 on the season with three home runs in 114 at-bats.  

Padres starting pitcher Eric Stults could not quite live up to his complete game in his follow-up start Wednesday, but he still pitched well in a no-decision against the Giants.

Stults tossed his fifth quality start in a row in the game, though it was his first time failing to finish the seventh inning in that stretch. He allowed just two runs in 6 1/3 innings of work, but was pulled after allowing a one-out single in the seventh inning. That runner came around to score, blowing a 2-1 Padres lead and leaving Stulted with a no-decision.

Stults allowed seven hits and two walks in the game, while striking out three batters on 105 pitches. He is now 6-5 on the season with a 3.25 ERA through 15 starts. He is expected to make his next start Monday against the Phillies. 

Blue Jays closer Casey Janssen gave up a hit in the ninth Wednesday but notched a save against the Rockies. Janssen earned his 16th save as he needed 16 pitches to complete his inning. 

Janssen lowered his ERA to 2.28 with the save, his fourth in his last four outings. He's been sharp since allowing two runs in his first blown save back on June 8 against Texas.